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although not a 5 start hotel , the rooms were quite spacious and comfortable with its own private balcony. a nice pool side cafe and a little bit cut off from the rush hr noise in nairobi. we were in for a surprise to know the privacy and serenity it offered for our business meeting. The fexible and corporating staff made our experience even better.

Although we had come for a business meeting, its highly recommended for holiday yers

Room Tip: Front facing rooms with self balcony

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Stayed September 2013, traveled on business

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Anthony N, General Manager at Sarova Panafric, responded to this review,
October 17, 2013

Dear Guest,

Many thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us.

It's great that you selected Sarova Panafric and I am elated to read that you found our rooms quite spacious and comfortable and got to enjoy our swimming pool. Privacy and serenity are some of our top advantages offered to our guests due to our prime location. We're happy you experienced the same. Our friendly staff strive to provide warm, welcoming, high standard service always, making your stay with us great and we're happy to note that they made your experience with us even better. Please feel free to join our online conversation and stay updated on what's happening by following us on Twitter @sarovapanafric and share your positive Sarova Panafric experiences with the rest of the world.

Thank you for your recommendation and we appreciate each word.

We definitely look forward to hosting you again.

Kind Regards,

Anthony NgungaGeneral ManagerSarova Panafric

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

I came to Kenya for one week's work, to run a workshop for facilitators and to experience something of East Africa, its people and its culture. It was my first visit. I was immediately struck by the warmth, courtesy and welcome I received. Although the baggage reclaim was slow, with a prepaid visa I passed through immigration at the airport with little delay. Maybe I was lucky, but the taxi ride into the city was only about 40 minutes and there was little traffic. My first impression of Nairobi was of a modern international city. It was a sharp contrast with Lagos, where I had been before.I immediately warmed to the people. Everyone seems to wear a smile and they have an uncommon skill in active listening that appears to come naturally. Maybe this is because all are bilingual and the vocabulary, structure, phonemes and flow of English and of African languages such as Swahili are completely different.I was unaware of the tragic events at the Westgate Mall, even though the drama was unfolding at the very time I arrived in Kenya. Once I arrived at my destination I realised what was occurring. My host, an NGO, applied tight security measures, and I was not permitted to leave the hotel. After a while even the delights of arrowroot begin the pale, and so I was relieved ultimately after 6 days to be released from my virtual house-arrest. And yet as I write that last sentence I feel a sense of shame for thinking about my simple comfort alongside the inconceivably tragic losses people in Nairobi endured in those tragic six days.If I had to be confined to a hotel, it was fortunate that it should be this one. The food is good, if a little overcooked, and pizzas are freshly made and very good indeed as are the eggs and omelettes at breakfast. The freshly-squeezed orange juice is exceptional, and the beautifully decorated cupcakes are great to look at even if, as in my situation me, your diet forbids you to eat them. Around every corner, in every public space, you, are met by staff who greet you by name and wear dazzling smiles. Not knowing any Swahili, I was at first amused when the security guard outside my room said Hakuna Matata when I thanked him for calling the elevator for me. Of course I was visualising Disney's Lion King, but the ethic of "no problem" drives the people here to every more impressive levels of service quality. The waiters, reception staff, hotel management, restaurant staff, gardeners, housekeepers and cleaners are dedicated to making you feel welcome and well-served.The flame tree restaurant is comfortable and many evenings they have live music, mostly light jazz. The pool-side restaurant is outdoors and the grounds of the hotel are spectacularly beautiful - in September the jacaranda trees and birds of,paradise etc were in full and splendid flower. In the conference room, staff tried very hard to satisfy all our needs. As I am diabetic, they went to significant lengths to make me feel at ease and comfortable, preparing special sugar-free fruit cocktails and sugar-free biscuits for my mid-morning snack. We were held back a little by some short-term connectivity problems as the hotel was upgrading its broadband. It's a shame we were not permitted to leave the hotel, but that intensified the bonds and friendships everyone was making and strengthening. The staff in the hotel and the local people whom you could see interviewed on TV displayed great dignity and self-control after the terrible events of Westgate. It was heartbreaking to see their sorrow. I was struck by the patience and forgiveness I sensed all around me. In the midst of three days of National Mourning, it was business as usual, but when I looked beyond the cheery smiles and warm handshakes into the eyes of security guards, cleaners, waiters, front-of-house staff I perceived a deep sadness that will take some time to fade. After my work was,complete I returned to the airport. Now it was Friday evening and the traffic was horrendous. The 40 minute journey took more thaN 2 hours. In the aftermath of a fire that had destroyed much of the airport terminal, facilities there were temporary and very much lacking in quality, comfort and style. Nevertheless to conclude, I say come to Kenya and stay at the Panafric. I am keen to return, not necessarily to work, but to enjoy this very fine hotel under more relaxed conditions and to visit the elephant orphanage and see some of the "big five" game beasts too.

Room Tip: The rooms at the front of the hotel look out,onto the main road which gets very busy very early.

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Stayed September 2013, traveled on business

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Anthony N, General Manager at Sarova Panafric, responded to this review,
October 17, 2013

Dear Guest,

Many thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us.

It's great that you selected Sarova Panafric and I am elated to read that you found us to be 'a haven of old charm' with comfortable rooms. Our friendly staff strive to provide warm, welcoming, high standard service always, making your stay with us great and we're happy to note that you enjoyed the dedication to making you feel welcome and well-served. My heart reaches out to those who were involved at Westgate during the tragic incident. Security is of utmost importance to all our guests and we take great measures to ensure they are enforced. We are truly grateful that you were not at that particular mall when this incident happened and I’m happy to hear that my wonderful team was able to make you feel at ease and comfortable even after the incident. As it should be. We do understand the importance of technology in the current world and we have therefore taken steps ahead to improve the system so as to ensure higher broadband speeds and therefore provide efficiency to our guests accessing it. I’m certain the next time you visit, you’ll have no problem with the broadband connectivity & speeds.

Please feel free to join our online conversation and stay updated on what's happening by following us on Twitter @sarovapanafric and share your positive Sarova Panafric experiences with the rest of the world.

Thank you for your recommendation and we appreciate each word.

We definitely look forward to hosting you again.

Kind Regards,

Anthony NgungaGeneral ManagerSarova Panafric

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the check in took more than 20 minutes!!! all together, the staff was very arrogant - especially when we didn't want to take the hotel limousine to the airport. The guy at the valet parking acted very pushy and upset when we told him that we wanted to take a normal taxi which would cost us maximum half of the price of what the hotel limousine would charge us (USD 50 for hotel limousine whereas for the normal taxi, we were charged only USD 20). not only did they want to rip us off, they also did it in a very pushy way and acting arrogant and unfriendly when we neglected to choose their overpriced service.for our next stay, we would probably choose a different hotel.

Stayed July 2013, traveled as a couple

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Anthony N, General Manager at Sarova Panafric, responded to this review,
October 17, 2013

Dear Guest,

Dear Cherie,

Thank you very much for sharing your great experience at Sarova Panafric and I’m happy you found our staff amazingly helpful and friendly with big smiles and kind gestures.

It's also great to read that you enjoyed the delicious breakfast buffet with variety of offering at the Flame Tree restaurant. Our Executive team and kitchen staff are excited to hear this. We're elated that you found Sarova Panafric to be the most memorable hotel you stayed at throughout your three month vacation in East Africa! This means a great deal to our team as they are wholly committed to serve our guests exceptionally and ensure their stay is exceeding. Please feel free to join our online conversation and stay updated on what's happening by following us on Twitter @sarovapanafric.

Thank you for your recommendation and we appreciate each word.

We forward to hosting you soon.

Kind Regards,

Anthony NgungaGeneral ManagerSarova Panafric

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The staff here were so amazingly helpful and friendly! Big smiles, kind gestures, and honestly cared about each individual guest! Absolutely incredible service!! The most memorable hotel we stayed at throughout our three month vacation in east Africa! The breakfast buffet was awesome! So much variety and all very delicious! We also ordered the room service and that too was an excellent variety and what we ordered was great!

Stayed October 2012

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Anthony N, General Manager at Sarova Panafric, responded to this review,
October 17, 2013

Dear Guest,

Thank you very much for sharing your great experience at Sarova Panafric and I’m happy you found our staff amazingly helpful and friendly with big smiles and kind gestures.

It's also great to read that you enjoyed the delicious breakfast buffet with variety of offering at the Flame Tree restaurant. Our Executive team and kitchen staff are excited to hear this. We're elated that you found Sarova Panafric to be the most memorable hotel you stayed at throughout your three month vacation in East Africa! This means a great deal to our team as they are wholly committed to serve our guests exceptionally and ensure their stay is exceeding. Please feel free to join our online conversation and stay updated on what's happening by following us on Twitter @sarovapanafric.

Thank you for your recommendation and we appreciate each word.

We forward to hosting you soon.

Kind Regards,

Anthony NgungaGeneral ManagerSarova Panafric

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Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Some differing opinions on a few elements, but we were there during the Westgate Mall seige and we cannot commend the staff highly enough for their professionalism during this terrible time. Our hearts go out to all the people affected by the tragedy. At all times though we felt safe, looked after and looked out for. It was very reassuring to get a call on Saturday night from the manager to ensure we had returned safely from our days outing.

We arrived at 2am Friday (thursday night) so had the chance to make these other observations...

Pros:Steak night! I ordered the fillet steak medium rare - THE best steak i have ever had!

Very friendly staff with excellent English

Well priced gift shop

Reception/porters/concierges all very helpful

Very smooth pick up from the airport (by Pollmans, organised for us by our Travel agent at home)

Hotel drivers/taxis - felt very safe.

No fees to change money. Rate was 5 shillings lower than at the airport but they had money when we needed it

Air con in the rooms (not frosty, but at least they had it) and a safe in the wardrobe.

Good egg station at breakfast. Good variety of hot dishes and pastries that changed daily.

Free WIFI

Cons:Rooms 103 and 105 (least expensive) don't have locks on the balcony doors. Yes there is a guard stationed by the lift, but he can't see the balcony.no insect screens on the (opening) windows. Access to these rooms is via an outdoor walkway above the kitchen vent - not always pleasant. Beds very firm, to me thats better than too soft but the other 3 in my group found them 'rock hard'.(beds were same at our next hotel so not sure if its a price or a cultural thing)

While ALL staff were friendly, service from the food and beverage staff was a bit slow...dine early if you're hungry to allow for the wait.tea and coffee service at breakfast rather haphazard.

Hotel is on a main road, thats also the way to a hospital so there can be sirens. Ear plugs worked fine for me though (we never leave home without them!)

No direct dialling. Even local calls made by staff had to go through the operator. Not a major issue, but time consuming if you're trying to make plans.

Other things to be aware of:Pollmans picked us up at the airport. They offered us a car and driver for the day for US$25 per person.$100 for 4 of us, just ring his mobile to book. Not knowing if that was a good rate or not, we asked the hotel concierge - seems there is a very strong honour system in Nairobi - concierge explained he couldn't give us any other prices because we were Pollmans customers and he couldn't break that 'contract'. Interestingly the operator couldnt reach the mobile number for us, so put us through to the main office where the price was now $200 for 4 of us. We called the mobile back and had a great, albeit slightly squished, day for $100 plus tip.

Stayed September 2013

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Anthony N, General Manager at Sarova Panafric, responded to this review,
October 17, 2013

Dear Cherie,

Thank you very much for sharing your great experience at Sarova Panafric and I’m happy you enjoyed the service from our helpful, friendly staff, your steak & breakfast at the Flame Tree restaurant, our Adia (gift) shop, airport transfer and the value adds.

It's great that you selected Sarova Panafric and I am glad to read that your stay exceeded your expectation. Sarova Panafric is wholly committed to serve our guests exceptionally and ensure their stay is exceeding. My heart reaches out to those who were at Westgate during the tragic incident. Security is of utmost importance to all our guests and we take great measures to ensure they are enforced. We are truly grateful that you were not involved and I’m happy to hear that my wonderful team was able to make you feel at even more comfortable and safe after the incident. As it should be. Apologies for the noise experienced while in your room. Indeed we encourage guest feedback so that we can improve on our services and I have personally noted your feedback on the noise levels and taken up this issue with my engineering team.

Please feel free to join our online conversation and stay updated on what's happening by following us on Twitter @sarovapanafric.

Thank you for your recommendation and we appreciate each word.

We forward to hosting you soon.

Kind Regards,

Anthony NgungaGeneral ManagerSarova Panafric

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Stayed here for one night after camping safari in Kenya and Tanzania, anywhere with a bed and a hot shower would have been good! This hotel was more than good, it is a high class hotel with comfortable room as you would expect from a hotel of this standard. Booking via booking.com well in advance, for under $100, value for money was exceptional.Excellent service and helpful staff. I arrived on foot with heavy luggage and whilst checking-in was offered hot towels and juice. A nice touch!

Stayed September 2013, traveled solo

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Anthony N, General Manager at Sarova Panafric, responded to this review,
September 23, 2013

Dear Mark,

Many thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us.

It's great that you selected Sarova Panafric and I am elated to read that you found us to be 'a high class hotel' with comfortable rooms. Our friendly staff strive to provide warm, welcoming, high standard service always, making your stay with us great and we're happy to note that you enjoyed the personalized welcome touch. Please feel free to join our online conversation and stay updated on what's happening by following us on Twitter @sarovapanafric and share your positive Sarova Panafric experiences with the rest of the world.

Thank you for your recommendation and we appreciate each word.

We definitely look forward to hosting you again.

Kind Regards,

Anthony NgungaGeneral ManagerSarova Panafric

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Thank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

Stayed at the hotel on two occasions last month; immediately before and immediately after a tour of Kenya and Tanzania. The hotel and it's amenities are ok, but I found it a little difficult to get a message across to the reception staff because of their broken English. The most frustrating thing was the poor quality of their food. My wife and I had fish and beef via room service. The fish was raw inside and the chef over did it with the seasoning ... I couldn't eat it. My wife's steak, although thinly cut, was as tough as old boot leather. She couldn't finish her meal either. So as not to raise a fuss, I paid the bill in full upon checkout the next morning, but made a point in mentioning the meal situation to the receptionist. She said she'd look into it and would contact me "shortly", but I've heard nothing since.My advice is ... if you're ordering room service, tell them exactly how you want the food cooked, rather than leave it up to their inexperienced chef. When you get it, if it's not up to scratch, send it back.

Room Tip: Most rooms are noisy because of the outside traffic. Rooms near the elevator can also be very noisy.

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Stayed August 2013, traveled as a couple

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Anthony N, General Manager at Sarova Panafric, responded to this review,
September 23, 2013

Dear Guest,

Thank you very much for sharing your great experience at Sarova Panafric. We do appreciate your feedback.

Sarova Panafric, through the staff, is wholly committed to serve our guests exceptionally and ensure their stay is exceeding. It is for this exact reason that all our associates are the top professionally in the market and to attain this a thorough hiring process is in place. One of the key, mandatory requirements is to be fluent in English.

We're sad to hear about your meal experience while staying with us. Indeed, we encourage our guests to give us feedback so that we’re able to take up corrective action. We do take guest feedback seriously and I have noted your comments on your room service experience. We have very stringent food & beverage procedures in terms of thorough food preparation and inspection before service by the Head Chef. Accept my sincere apologies. This is definitely not in line with our brand standards and be assured that I have personally taken corrective action to rectify the situation and ensure it doesn't occur again.

I do hope the next time your travels bring you to Nairobi, you will return to Sarova Panafric and be sure to let me know. It’ll be a pleasure to meet with you.

Kind Regards,

Anthony NgungaGeneral ManagerSarova Panafric

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Idyllically located 5 minutes' drive from the CBD and 18 km from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, amidst beautifully landscaped gardens in a quiet suburb of Nairobi, Sarova Panafric offers 162 rooms in a range of Superior, Executive, Club, Studio and Themed Suites - all recently refurbished and decorated in a contemporary vibrant African style. Once the watering hole for freedom fighters, spies and foreign correspondents, Flame Tree restaurant is named after the Flame Tree that holds pride of place in the gardens and offers leisurely meals.
Sarova Panafric offers state-of-the-art banqueting and conferencing facilities with a range of meeting and function rooms equipped with the latest audio visual and WIFI equipment. To wind up the day, take a dip in the pool or go for a leisurely massage - or simply enjoy a cool drink to the soothing sounds of Africa's rhythm.
And this hotel is centrally located, only a short 0.5 Km from Kenya's landmark 'Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC)', one of the most prominent events venues in Africa....more less

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Also Known As:

Sarova Panafric Hotel Nairobi

Sarova Panafric Nairobi

Panafric Hotel Nairobi

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